Safeguarding policies and practice

Our polices concerning safeguarding have changed. The Parochial Church Council have adopted and are working to the new Diocesan Safeguarding Policy for Adults,
Children and Young People. All our policies and associated guidance have been now been adopted, and can be viewed and downloaded from our
Policies page. Please
click here. Further contact information
will be added to our home page in due course. In the meantime should you have any safeguarding issues please contact out our Rector, The Revd Barry Abbott on 0191 488 7397 or our Parish
Safeguarding Officer Mrs Carole Dixon available through the Parish Office on 0191 488 1553.

Our usual pattern of worship

Join us!

Begin, or continue your Christian journey with us. The Church is the Body of Christ, diverse in membership and united in Jesus. Coming together to praise
God in church is important. Jesus asks us to do this in remembrance of him. St Mary's is the place to show commitment, witness and unity, a place to learn, a place to guide our children and a
place to experience the transforming power of God. Become a regular and frequent worshipper, be at the centre of what God is doing in Whickham and among his people... come, seek & know his
presence.

Whatever we do in God's name is done better in and with the community. We offer many services from the quiet, reflective and new, to all age worship and the traditional. Children are always
welcome. Worship can vary in style depending on the Church season. Christmas, Holy Week and Easter, Ascension and Pentecost will offer creative services, often including the community
and working with our neighbouring churches. Please visit our News, Events & Magazine section;
don't miss out! In the meantime, you'll find below our usual pattern of worship; we invite you to join us and hope to see you soon.

Safeguarding

We value and respect children and young people and adults at all times. We have good relationships with all our schools. We lead assemblies, share in curricula teaching and welcome
school groups to St Mary's. In addition, we offer a range of worship and teaching activities for toddlers through to eighteen year olds, including worship, learning and sharing
Christian fellowship. In all of this, safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance and we follow the diocesan policy which can be found
at http://www.durham.anglican.org/ or click here for our Policies page.

Worship at St Mary's and discover God's love for You!

Our main Sunday worship and services are traditional and accessible; designed to be inclusive and welcoming and aware of the needs of young and old alike. We stand in a liberal
Anglican catholic tradition, one which is open to the movement of the Spirit and adaptive to change. Several of our services are new in form and are aimed at attracting disciples from all walks
of life. We believe in the transforming power of Jesus at work in us through worship and therefore expect to be changed to meet the challenges of God's mission. We think there is something that
fits for you, and if not we are prepared to try new things.

Play and Praise

This happens every Thursday at 10.00am in the St Mary's Centre where we have interactive play, praise and prayer. The group is aimed at pre-schoolers and their parents/carers. Each
week there is plenty of friendship, fun, games and, of course refreshments for all. For further information contact the Parish Office, or just come along!

Messy Church

Is all-age and a place where everyone is valued and has fun. Its setting is informal where young and old can explore and experience faith through worship, crafts, stories and games. We meet
most Sundays* in term time starting at 9.30pm in Rectory Hall, Church Chare, with a light breakfast. It is suitable for all.

3@3

On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 3 o'clock we have 3@3. We come together in informal and interactive worship which includes songs, crafting and refreshments ... all within
the St Mary's Centre! Our gathering covers all ages; from 0-90! Come and learn about God's love for us, join the adventure join us today!

Prayer: growing in God

Within the Church it might be helpful to consider'spirituality' as that 'part' of a person which seeks to know and experience Jesus; and through which discipleship is nourished and developed.

As Christians develop deeper spiritual lives they journey more closely with Christ and are changed by the experience. Christian spirituality relates to the inner life and devotional practices
which foster and sustain a growing relationship with Jesus. Here we offer some ways that may help you develop your own spirituality. Want to explore more? Please contact our
Rector, Barry

Prayer throughout the Day

There is a long tradition in the Church of praying at fixed times during the day. Using prayers at morning, evening and night underpins spiritual growth in Jesus and an
awareness of his presence, and that he is always with us. Make time for God during your day. Simply follow the link of your choice and then scroll down through the service, reading both the
minister's part and the responses at your own pace.

Prayer Chain

May we pray for you or with you? Prayer is a powerful help and comfort in both good and difficult times. Here at St Mary's we have a Prayer Chain to receive requests for prayers. People
might ask us to pray for themselves, their friends, relatives or for a given situation. This could be for people with an immediate need of prayer in times of crisis or trouble. The members, or
links in the chain, will, one by one, bring your prayer requests to the forefront of their prayers to God. Any calls for prayer are treated in the strictest of confidence. If you would like the
Prayer Chain to offer up prayers on your behalf, please contact Joan Smith 0191 420 1238.

Creative Faith

Explore and share God's Word through creative projects. Join with others in exploring your faith as you work on crafts connected with biblical themes. Being creative can open us up
to learn more about ourselves and God through prayerful activity and reflection. We look forward to seeing you soon. Contact our parish Office 0191 488 1553 for more details.
All materials are free and refreshments are available. Each session lasts about two hours.